The members of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in conjunction with the SBU officers detained six Russian citizens in Kyiv and Boryspil international airports yesterday. Some of the detainees are alleged Russian military who had ties to illegal armed groups or were members of crime ring involved in bank frauds. All mentioned Russians attempted to enter Ukraine.

Five Russian citizens who arrived from Minsk were detained at Boryspil airport. It was their first visit to Ukraine. The additional check revealed that each of the Russians had the same amount of money, namely 100,000 RUB (about $1660), packed in similar envelopes. The passports of some of them were issued on the same day. All five Russians stated tourism as the purpose of their visit to Ukraine. Their answers during the interview were typical for the military or well-instructed persons.

Besides, the border guards and SBU officers found a military ID, a badge of the Russian Armed Forces and a camouflage cloak on one of the Russians. It was also established that some of them might have been members of a criminal ring involved in bank frauds.These citizens of the Russian Federation were denied entry to Ukraine.

One more Russian citizen was detained by the border guards and SBU officers in Kyiv international airport. He also arrived in Ukraine from Minsk. The border control revealed that this person was in the lookout by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. Further check showed that he was the chairman of the Board of a group of companies involved in funding projects in Russia and abroad. The contacts in his cell phone proved that he had ties to illegal armed groups fighting in Ukraine's east. He was also awarded with the medal 'For the Return of Crimea' by the Russian defense minister.